Burj Khalifa and the number 8

The Burj Khalifa, as it is now known, rises 828 metres into the sky and is the tallest building in the world. But this begs the question: How did Emaar and its architects arrive at that height? Was it the limit of economic sustainability for a tall building? Was it randomly chosen by darts?

Photo caption: Burj Khalifa on January 5, 2010. EPA / Ali Haider

Neither is the answer, as Crane Country has discovered. In fact, the height is derived from Emaar CEO Mohamed Alabbar's deep interest in feng shui and numerology. From the beginning of the design process, Mr Alabbar insisted on the incorporation of the number 8, according to Adrian Smith, the designer of the Burj Khalifa.

Burj Khalifa and the number 8Posted in: Crane CountryPosted by: Bradley Hope on January 7, 2010 9:49 AM Tags: 8, adrian smith, burj khalifa, feng shui, mohamed alabbar, number 8, numerologyThe Burj Khalifa, as it is now known, rises 828 metres into the sky and is the tallest building in the world. But this begs the question: How did Emaar and its architects arrive at that height? Was it the limit of economic sustainability for a tall building? Was it randomly chosen by darts?Photo caption: Burj Khalifa on January 5, 2010. EPA / Ali HaiderNeither is the answer, as Crane Country has discovered. In fact, the height is derived from Emaar CEO Mohamed Alabbar's deep interest in feng shui and numerology. From the beginning of the design process, Mr Alabbar insisted on the incorporation of the number 8, according to Adrian Smith, the designer of the Burj Khalifa.

Stefania BianchiFrom “At the Top,” the name given to the observatory on the Burj Dubai, you can see the faint outline of the Middle East’s pariah-state Iran on the other side of the Persian Gulf. At the media opening of the skydeck close to the top of the world’s tallest skyscraper Monday, you could also just make out the undeve

By Stefania Bianchi

Stefania Bianchi

From “At the Top,” the name given to the observatory on the Burj Dubai, you can see the faint outline of the Middle East’s pariah-state Iran on the other side of the Persian Gulf. At the media opening of the skydeck close to the top of the world’s tallest skyscraper Monday, you could also just make out the undeveloped islands that make up the offshore Dubai World project that is synonymous with the sheikdom’s collapsing real estate industry.

After taking the brief ride to the 124th floor in one of the smoothest elevators I’ve ever traveled in, visitors are met with a bird’s eye view of the sprawling city - patches of desert, skyscrapers that appear tiny from such a height, unfinished buildings, the city’s Sheik Zayed road and interchanges - and perhaps the most impressive view of all - the Burj’s own shadow stretching out to the sea. “It’s like a huge sundial,” I heard one reporter say.

loped islands that make up the offshore Dubai World project that is synonymous with the sheikdom’s collapsing real estate industry.After taking the brief ride to the 124th floor in one of the smoothest elevators I’ve ever traveled in, visitors are met with a bird’s eye view of the sprawling city - patches of desert, skyscrapers that appear tiny from such a height, unfinished buildings, the city’s Sheik Zayed road and interchanges - and perhaps the most impressive view of all - the Burj’s own shadow stretching out to the sea. “It’s like a huge sundial,” I heard one reporter say.dubai